His hands are rods of gold Set with beryl. His body is carved ivory Inlaid with sapphires.
Parallel translations
- WEB His hands are like rings of gold set with beryl. His body is like ivory work overlaid with sapphires.
- KJV His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
- BSB His arms are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is an ivory panel bedecked with sapphires.
- NASB “His hands are rods of gold Set with topaz; His abdomen is panels of ivory Covered with sapphires.
- NLT His arms are like rounded bars of gold, set with beryl. His body is like bright ivory, glowing with lapis lazuli.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
His hands and body are likened to gold set with gems and polished ivory adorned with sapphires, picturing strength, splendor, and worth. The beloved is admired as precious and majestic.
Overview
The imagery of gold, beryl, ivory, and sapphire piles up to convey richness and dignity. The bride sees her beloved as costly and magnificent in every part. In the broader biblical pattern, such language of glory and beauty anticipates the surpassing worth of Christ, in whom believers find every treasure.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Exod 24:10They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness.
- Isa 54:11“You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
- Exod 28:20and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be enclosed in gold in their settings.
- Song 7:2Your body is like a round goblet, no mixed wine is wanting. Your waist is like a heap of wheat, set about with lilies.
- Isa 9:7Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.
- Isa 52:13Behold, my servant will deal wisely. He will be exalted and lifted up, and will be very high.
- Ezek 1:26–28Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above.
- Ezek 1:16The appearance of the wheels and their work was like a beryl: and the four of them had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel.
- Ps 99:4The King’s strength also loves justice. You do establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.
- Exod 39:13and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings.
- Exod 15:6Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power. Your right hand, Yahweh, dashes the enemy in pieces.
- Ps 44:4–7You are my King, God. Command victories for Jacob!
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The poetry of covenant love between bride and bridegroom pictures, at its highest, the love of Christ for his church — the Bridegroom who gave himself for his bride.
How Song of Songs 5:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.